Cartridge ejector for firearms



Oct. 11, 1949. c. H. BENSON 2,484,444

CARTRIDGE EJECTOR FOR FIREARMS Filed April 14, 1945 Q El' 5 7 5 5 .of/5453 5am/VEN TOR. Carl hhenson.

Patented Oct. 11, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARTRIDGE EJECTOR FOR FIREARMS Carl H. Benson, New Haven, Conn., assignor to 0. F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., New Haven, Conn., 'Y a corporation of Connecticut Y Application April 14, 1945, Serial No. 588,343

i 14 Claims. Y l

The invention relates to improvements in rearms and more particularly to an improved cartridge and cartridge shell ejector for firearms.

In firearms, especially of the small arms type, it is often desirable to eject loaded cartridges from the chamber in the barrel as well as to eject empty cartridge shells therefrom. When the rearm is one of the semi-automatic, or one of the full automatic models, where speed of ejection is particularly required for efficient operation thereof, it is very desirable that the ejecting means be one capable of automatically ejecting either loaded cartridges or empty cartridge shells with substantially equal speed.

To obtain the desirable advantages, above referred to, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide in a firearm an ejector adapted to eject automatically either loaded cartridges, or empty cartridge shells, at substantially equal speed.

Another object is to provide in a rearm an ejector adapted for such a purpose without the necessity of manipulation to convert it, or to adjust it, to make it capable of ejecting either loaded cartridges or empty cartridge shells.

A further object of this invention is to pro--` vide an improved ejector for a firearm which is adapted to be readily detached from, or attached to, the rearm.

A still further object is to provide an improved firearm having an ejector which will be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, simple in construction, practical, and very efficient and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, there have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, two forms in which the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the assembled operative parts of a firearm embodying the features and principles of this invention, the `barrel being shown broken off and the stock being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a similar sectional view to that shown in Figure 2 but with the operating parts in position when ejecting an empty shell;

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to those shown in Figures 2 and '3 but with the operating parts in position when ejecting a loaded cartridge;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a somewhat modiiied form of ejector mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views the numeral II denotes a barrel having a bore I2, generally provided with a cartridge is adapted to be seated by the action of a reciprocable bolt I4 slidably mounted in a receiver I5 to the front end of which the barrel II is secured. As in most semi-or full automatic firearms, the bolt I4 is urged into battery position by a coiledspring I6 reacting between the bolt I4 and a stationary receiver part, such as a receiver cap, or head, I'I. An operating member, either a lever, or a stud, I8 is provided, whereby the bolt I may be manually drawn back to initially cock the iirearm, or to eject an empty cartridge shell I9, or a loaded cartridge 20 should the gun action jam, or stop firing, due to defective ammunition. A magazine 2| of known structure is shown extending downwardly from the receiver I5 and being in position to have a cartridge engaged and fed therefrom by the bolt I4 into the chamber I3 in the usual and wellknown manner, when the bolt Ill is moved forwardly by the spring I6.

A cartridge or shell extractor 22 is also provided and is of the conventional form having a hook end 23 adapted to engage the cartridge shell I9 in front of the head thereof. The extractor is carried by the bolt I4, in this instance with its hook end 23 overlying the cartridge head seat 24 formed in the bolt end. The extractor 22 illustrated is disposed in a groove 25 formed in the bolt I4 and is pivoted therein intermediate its ends on a pin 26. A coiled spring 2l reacting between the rear end of the extractor 22 and the bolt I4 constantly urges the hook end 23 into cartridge head engaging position. A notch 28 is usually provided in the rear end of the barrel to allow free lateral movement of the hook end 23.

The improved ejector of this invention comprises a laterally movable cartridge head engaging member 3| extending into a slot 32 provided in the bolt |4to receive it. The cartridge engaging member is adapted to be held relatively stationary in respect to the bolt Ill by being secured to the receiver I5. The slot 32 in the bolt I4 extends lengthwise thereof a suicient amount to insure that the member 3| will be free of possible engagement with the bolt Id. The member 3| is provided with two pointed stop members 33 and 34 spaced apart lengthwise in respect to the firearm and lying in the path of movement taken by a loaded cartridge 2i) and an empty cartridge shell la as they are extracted from the chamber i3. The inner forward end of the forward pointed .stop member 33 is broken by being inclined downwardly and forwardly, or rounded, as at Sil, and is provided to be particularly engaged by an empty shell as it is extracted from the chamber i3 by the extractor 22 and cause it to be ejected through an opening 35 provided in the receiver I5 for this purpose. inclined surface 3S on the pointed stop member due to its form, permits the passage of the head of a loaded cartridge 2E), thev bullet of which is still in the chamber I3, into. engagement` with the pointed stop member 3d whereby the loaded cartridge 2li will be ejected through the opening The member 3d presents an abrupt forwardly directed shoulder against which the,y head,

of the loaded cartridge is engaged.

The. ejector 3l illustrated in Figures 1-5 inelusive is made of sheet metal, prefer-ably spring steel, tempered to give it the desired tension. The pointed members 33 andA 3d are formed along the edge of a plate portion 35 which extends through a slot 3l provided in the receiver I5 and into the slot 32 in the bolt I4. The plate portion 3d extends beyond Vthe rear end of the slot 31 in the form of a circular-ended tongue 3S which engages against the inside surface of the receiver l5 and acts as a pivot upon which the front portion of the ejector plate portion :it may swing when a cartridge is extracted from the barrel.

A flat'fiange 3S extends along the outer edge of the plate portion 35 and is substantially at right angles thereto to overlie the outside of the receiver I5. The flange 39 extends beyond the rear end of the slot 3l in the receiver in the form of a leaf spring portion lll and has its rear end 22 bent inwardly into a transverse slot 43 provided in the exterior of the receiver l5 to receive the same. The leaf spring portio-n Il! of the flange 3S is spring-tensioned to constantly urge the plate portion 35 inwardly toward the axis of the rearm and to tend to swing the plate portion 3S in a direction to cause the tongue 38 to tightly engage the receiver whereby, dueto this action, and the engagement of the rear end l2 with. theA receiver 'I5 in the slot A3, the ejector is releasably locked in position.

In the modified form shown in Figure 6 a pin al having a flattened end 52 to be extended into the slot 32 in the bolt Ill extends through thev receiver l5. under the urge of a leaf spring 53A to which it is fastened as by riveting its outer end Eil to one end of the spring. The other end of the leaf spring 53 is secured to the receiver as by a screw 55. The inner end of the pin 5I is rounded as at 55 to act upon -a cartridge shell i9 in a manner similar to the action of the point 33' of the ejector illustrated in Figures 1-5 inclusive. Another pin 5l extends through the receiver I5 and a flattened inner end 58 extending into. the slot 32 in the bolt I4. The pin 5l may be secured to the receiver or be, as shown, maintained in place by having a flattened outer end 59V extended through the spring 53 to be supported by this spring. As in the previously described form the forwardly disposed pin lil-will eject an empty cartridge and the rearwardly'disposed pin 51 will eject a loaded cartridge.

It will be obvious that in both forms the forwardly disposed pointed member 33, or the pin end 5t, being in engagementy with the loaded cartridge and under the urge of the respective leaf The' springs 4| and `'53 will impose upon the cartridge an added impulse to rapidly eject it from the receiver. This added impulse insures that the cartridge, which is heavier and longer than the empty shell, will be ejected more rapidly than the empty shell so that there will be no danger of the cartridge not being properly ejected and thus interfering with the!` action-fof the firearm.

A firearm provided withy the above disclosed improved ejector mechanism operates more smoothly and efficiently to eject empty cartridge shells or loaded cartridges. The bolt Ill when initially-moved into battery position removes a cartridge from the magazine and disposes it into the cartridge chamber I3 whereupon by the release ,ofV suitable-*firing mechanism (not"'shown)' the firing pin M, is released to fire the cartridge. The recoil' action, due to firing the cartridge, will drive the. bolt I4 rearwardly and the empty shell from the chamber I3. When the head of the cartridge. shell, due to itsy rearwardmovement, bymanual retractionuof the bolt or'by recoil action, engages thepointed stop member 33 of the Y ejector member 3|., it is, tilted toward the receiver opening 35 and rapidly snapped through this opening and ejected fromthe receiver I5. This action is for the most part due to the cooperating action of the extractor hook 23 and the pointed member 3,3, orthe pin 5I of the form shown in Figure 6, on the shell but, due to the spring action of the leaf spring 4I, or the spring 53, an added urge is-imposed upon the shell to move it outwardly.

The action above described will also take place if and when` the bolt I4 is` retractedV manually by use of the bolt retracting lever, or stud I8. By manually retracting the bolt III` a loaded cartridge, desired toI be ejected, will be drawn rearwardly 4from 4the chamber I3 until its shell head engages the abrupt shoulder formed by the pointed member 34- of the member 3|, whereupon it will be still more rapidly snapped through the receiver opening 35 by the cooperating action of the extractor hook. 23l and the pointed member 33, or the pinfl of the form shown in Figure 6,

which engagethe.` shell portion of the loaded cartridge (seeY Figure 4),the leaf springs 4I, or 53, actingas above described toinsure an increase in the rapidity of movement.

It will` be. understood`l that. the novel features and principlesof thisinvention:` may be embodied in other specic forms without departing from the spirit and essential-'attributes thereof,` and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments bey considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictiva,referencebeing had to the claims rather than to the foregoing. description. to indicate the scope,Y of this` invention.

Having thus fully disclosed the, invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired to. secure Letters Patent, is:

1. In a firearm, the` combination of a receiver, means to move a. cartridge shell lengthwise in said receiver, and. a. combined empty cartridge shell and loaded cartridge shell. ejector, said ejector comprising a spring pressed shell engaging first pointed member extending into the receiver and normally `lying in the path of the movement of an empty shell to be engaged thereby and tov eject it from the receiver and adapted to= permit' the-said shell to pass thereby, and a second shell engagingpointed member extending intothev receiver andnormally` lying in the Ypath of the movement of' a loaded shell to be engaged by the loaded shell passed by the rst pointed member and to eject it from the receiver, and common means to connect said pointed members together and to the receiver.

2. In a rearm, the combination of a receiver, means to engage and move a cartridge shell lengthwise in said receiver, and a combined empty cartridge shell and loaded cartridge shell ejector, said ejector comprising a spring pressed empty shell engaging rst pointed member extending into the receiver and normally lying in the path of movement of the empty shell to be engaged by and to eject the empty shell from the receiver and adapted to permit the shell to pass thereby, a second shell engaging pointed member extending into the receiver and normally lying in the path of movement of a loaded cartridge shell to be engaged by the shell thereof passed by the first pointed member and to eject it from the receiver, said rst pointed member being arranged to resiliently engage and to press against a portion of the loaded cartridge shell when the said shell is engaged by the second pointed member.

3. In a rearm, the combination of a receiver, a barrel extending from one end of the receiver, means to extract a cartridge shell from said barrel lengthwise of and into the receiver, and a combined empty cartridge shell and loaded cartridge shell ejector, said ejector being formed ,from one piece of material and having a member adapted to extend into the receiver through an opening therein, said member having pointed portions extending from its inner edge and norlnally lying in the path of the head of an empty, or loaded, cartridge shell being extracted from the barrel and being spaced apart lengthwise of the receiver, said pointed portions being substantially in lengthwise alignment and lying in a plane substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the receiver, the forward one of said pointed portions having a front edge tapering forwardly and away from the inner edge of the member, and a resilient portion to secure the member to the receiver and to press it into the receiver.

4. In a rearm, the combination of a receiver,

a barrel extending from the receiver, means to remove a cartridge shell from said barrel, and a combined empty cartridge shell and loaded cartridge shell ejector, said ejector comprising one piece of material having a member adapted to extend into the receiver through an opening therein, said member having front and rear pointed portions extending from its inner edge and normally lying in the path of movement of the head of an empty shell, or a loaded shell, being removed from said barrel, and being spaced apart lengthwise of the receiver, the front pointed portion having a front edge tapering forwardly and away from the inner edge of the member to be engaged by the head of an empty shell and to eject the same, and to be engaged by the head of a loaded shell to be pressed outwardly thereby and allow the loaded shell to be moved rearwardly toward and into engagement with the other pointed portion to be ejected thereby from the receiver, and a spring portion having one end secured to the receiver and being tensioned to press the member into the receiver.

i5. In a rearm, the combination of a receiver, a

barrel extending from the receiver, means to remove a cartridge shell from said barrel, and a combined empty cartridge shell and loaded cartridge shell ejector, said ejector being of one piece of material and having a member adapted to extend into the receiver through an opening therein, said member having front and rear pointed por- 6, tions extending from its inner edge and normally lying in the path of movement of the head of an empty shell, or a loaded shell, being removed from said barrel, and being spaced apart lengthwise of the receiver, the front pointed portion having a front edge tapering forwardly and away `Irom the inner edge of the member, a spring portion bifurcated to provide an end portion separated from a tongue portion, said end portion extending along and secured to the outer surface of `the receiver and tensioned to press the member into the receiver, and the tongue portion extend ing along the inner surface of the receiver and pressed outwardly into engagement therewith by said end portion.

6. In combination, a rearm receiver, abarrel, means to move a cartridge shell lengthwise in said receiver, and a combined empty cartridge shell and loaded cartridge shell ejector, said ejector having a member extending into said receiver through an opening therein, said member having front and rear pointed portions spaced apart lengthwise of the receiver, both of said pointed portions normally lying in the path of movement of the head of a cartridge shell as it is removed from the barrel, the pointed ends of said pointed portions being in alignment lengthwise and disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the receiver, and resilient means acting on said member to normally retain it in place and to secure it to said receiver.

'7. In combination, a rearm receiver, a barrel,. means to move a cartridge shell lengthwise in said receiver, and a combined empty cartridge shell and loaded cartridge shell ejector, said ejector having a member extending into the receiverl through an opening therein, said member having front and rear pointed portions spaced apart lengthwise of the receiver, both of said pointed portions normally lying in the path of movement of the head of a cartridge shell as it is removed from the barrel, the pointed ends of said pointed portions being in alignment lengthwise and disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the receiver, and resilient means acting on said member to normally retain it in place and to secure it to said receiver, the forward edge of the front pointed portion of said member being tapered forwardly and outwardly in respect to the receiver to be engaged by the head of `a cartridge shell and swung outwardly as the cartridge shell is drawn out of the barrel to present the rear pointed portion for engagement by the head of the loaded cartridge shell.

8. In combination, a rearm receiver, a barrel, means to move a cartridge shell lengthwise in said receiver, and a combined empty cartridge shell and loaded cartridge shell ejector, said ejector having a member extending into the receiver through an opening therein, said member having front and rear pointed portions spaced apart lengthwise of the receiver, both of said pointed portions normally lying in the path of movement of the head of a cartridge shell as it is removed from the barrel, the pointed ends of said pointed portions being in alignment lengthwise and disposedin `a planesubstantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the receiver, and resilient means acting on said member to normally retain it in place and to secure it to said receiver, the forward edge of the front pointed portion of said member being tapered forwardly and outwardly in respect to the receiver to be engaged by the head of a loaded cartridge shell and swung outwardly as the cartridge shell is removed from the barreltopres'entthe rear pointed. portion: for: engagementby theheadnof the loadedicartridgef to: eject it. from the receiver.

9L Incombinationr. a rearmfreceiver, a barrel, means-to moveY a cartridgeshell lengthwise in said receivennnd a. combined empty cartridge shell and loaded cartridge shell ejector, said ejector having a member extending; into said receiverA through an openingtherein, said memberhaving. iront. and rear: pointed' portions spaced. apart lengthwise of the receiver, both ofV said. pointed portions normally lying in theY path of` movement, of the head. of a. cartridge shell as it is removed.

fromthebarreLth-e; pointed ends of said pointedv portions being in alignment lengthwise. and disposed in a plane substantially parallel; to. the lengthwise axis of the receiver, a. resilientportion extending-x rearwardly from said member. along the outer surface or. said. receiver,. anda.

tongue portion: extending; rearwardly from; the rear pointed portion orsaid member'in overlyingengagement withihe inner surface of said receiver, whereby the receiver will be clamped.- between the resilient portion and the tongue por-v tionand the tonguev portion and the ejector` will be detachably secured` tov the receiver.

1'0. In combination, are'arm receiver, a barrel',

means to. extract a cartridgeshell. from said bar-V tensioned to constantly urge thecircular end? of` said tongue against the inner surface ofthe re ceiver, and .means to releasablyf secure the rearv end of the rearwardly extending portionl to the receiver.

l1'. In combination, a firearm receiver, a barrel, means to extract a cartridge shell from said; barrel, and a combined empty cartridgeshell and loadedl cartridge shell ejector, said ejector comprising a plate portion.adapted-toiex-tendinto the receiver andi into' thel path ofv the head of a cartridge shell extracted from the barrel, a circular ended tongue extending rearwardly from saidfA plate portion witlr its circular end in engagementV with the inner. surface ofthe receiver, a portioni extendingfrom the plate portion rearwardly along the exterior surface of the receiver and spring tensionedto; constantly urge the circularend of said tongue against vthe inner surface` of the re ceiver, the rear end of. said rearwardly extending portion being bent'inwardly to enter across-slotin the receiver. to releasably secure the ejectorl to the same.

12. ln combination, a rearm receiver, a vbar-` rel, meansfto. extract aI cartridge. shell fromI said barrel,.and a combined empty cart-ridgeAshell-landi loaded cartridge shell ejector, saidejector com-- prising aplate portion adapted toextencllintothev receiver, front and rear pointed memberslonthe" inner edge of said plate portion, spaced apart lengthwise of: the rearm and with their' points normall-y lying: in the path of movement oi.' a cartridge shell extracted from. the barrel the points of said pointed. members being' substantially in alignmentlerrgthwiseoii the receiver and normally lying: inA aJ plane parallel tofthe lengthwise axis.- of the receiver, aportion secured to and. extending rearwardly vfroxn'-` said plate portion along. the exterior'surfaceof said receiver and spring tensionedtofconsta'ntly. urge the plate portion inwardiy to maintairrthe pointedmembers in` their normal position. and .to resistoutward'` movement of thezfplate` portion when a cartridge shelll head engages `tloelfron't .pointed` member.

1.3; In' combination',arearmfreceiver, a barrel, means. to extract a. cartridge shell from said barrel,` and a. combined emptycartridge shell and loadedrcartridge shelll'ejector, said ejector comprisingaz plate portion adaptedy to'. extend into the receiver;` iront and. rear.' pointed members on the inner edge of said: plate. portion, spaced apart lengthwise'of the. firearm and normally lying in the path of movement of:v acartridge shell extracted. iirorn .thel barrel', a-rcircular ended tongue extending rearwardly' fromr said plate portion with itsv circular end.. inl engagement with the inner surface or the receiver, a-portion secured to-,and extending. rearwardly from' said plate portion along: the exterior surface-'ofsa-id receiver andpspring` tensioned. toi constantly urge the plate portion inwardly'. to. main-tainA the pointed members in their: norm'aliposition andI toresist outward? movement of.' thefplateportion whena cartridge shell head: engagescthe frontfpointed member,` saidrearwardly" extending portion also constantlyY urging they circular4 end of said tongue against the inner.' surface. of.' the receiver.

le. Anejector. fiora firearm comprising a member-formed romsheet materiali, said member having an elongatedlange portion and a plate portion, said. plateportiont extending inwardly from one: endi offsaidiiiange portion: and bent at right angles thereto', thefouterfedge'of said plate portion having lengthwisespace'd apart pointed portions extending inwardly therefrom, the ends ofsaid pointed portions :being inl lengthwise alignment and disposedrinla':A plane substantially normally parallel.I totheange portion, and a tongue extending fromy the plate` portion toward the other end ofsaidange portion, spaced from and overlying;` said, flange portion.

CARL H. BENSON.

REFERENCES? CITED The-1 following references are of` record in the iilei of' this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number.v Name Date 580,!935:4` Ehbet's Apr. 20, 1897 839,517' Savage Dec. 25, 1906v 1',1'08;356l l'rommer- Aug. 25, 1914 1,208g892V Barnes Dec. 1'9, 1916 1,786,207I Hudson Dec. 23, 1930- 2,342,213 `Hyde Feb. 24, 1944 K f FOREIGN PATENTS;

Number Country Date 162176: Switzerland; Aug. 16, 1933 

